Blame Game Again

Here goes the blame game again. C'mon George, have a sense of proportion. All that went wrong with the Chama yard lights selection was that the Executive Director of the Commission back in 1999 found out that the electrical contractor hired to upgrade the wiring and electrical appliances for the Chama Shop ordered inappropriate lights. He didn't get around to ordering appropriate lights before he resigned in 2000, and his replacements (there were three in a row) never followed up. So the shop crew and helpful members of the Friends, frustrated by what was essentially inaction by the Commission, got the lights out and installed them. I guess if you really wanted to blame someone or something it would be Commission staff turnover.

However, we should all be clear about one incontrovertable fact. Because the Commission represents the states who own the railroad, in the past the Commission has always been responsible for relations with SHPO, and that's the way the SHPO's see it. The Commission decides through contracts just what the Operator and the Friends may or may not do with the assets of the railroad.